It was Saturday morning and the session that all attendees look forward to, the “Board Meeting of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.” All of the pomp that accompanies this meeting was there.

NACO Gene Seibert called the assembly to order followed by the entry of the District 7 Color Guard led by Ed Callahan, Rear Commodore. An invocation and memorial to those Auxiliarist who crossed over the bar since the last meeting was solemnly presented.

Dignitaries were introduced, including those from foreign Coast Guard and Auxiliaries, Canada, Australia, Curacao and Granada to name a few. Representatives of the U.S. and Canadian Power Squadrons and the Commanding General of the Civil Air Patrol were present.

Seventh District Coast Guard Commander Calls on Auxiliary to Build “City on the Hill” – RADM Peterman

Referring back to a January 1961 speech by then President-elect John F. Kennedy, RADM Brian Peterman, Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District called upon the Coast Guard Auxiliary to be “That City on the Hill”, an organization in perilous times with the eyes of all people upon it.

“The future of the Coast Guard depends on the future of the Auxiliary”, said Peterman. “We could not do our job without the Auxiliary.”

Peterman challenged the Auxiliary leaders at NACON to formulate “The Orlando Plan” to map the future of the Auxiliary, and thus be that “City on the Hill.”

“Mission Balance, Exciting Opportunities Keys for Auxiliary Future” RADM Denis Sirois

RADM Denis Sirois, Assistant Commandant for Operations, told Auxiliarists at NACON that “Winds of Change” will create new and exciting opportunities for the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Referring to our core missions of public education, vessel safety checks and marine dealer visitations, RADM Sirois stated, “Our Commandant challenges us to mission balance”, not forgetting the historic important missions of the Auxiliary. “We are at a critical juncture of Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary history,” he stated.

The Auxiliary will take on “roles in the Coast Guard not seen since World War II”, he said. “Your help is needed for (the) change.”
As examples of new Auxiliary roles, RADM Sirois cited the Auxiliary prototype dive program and paddlecraft program and the need for Auxiliary assets in training Coast Guard helo crews for intercept missions.

National Commodore Seibert Lists Recent Accomplishments and Key Tasks Ahead

“We cannot change the wind, but we can adjust the sails,” remarked Auxiliary National Commodore Gene Seibert as he gave his report to National Conference of the Auxiliary.
“What will not change is our core values,” Seibert added.

Commodore Seibert listed six major accomplishments by the Auxiliary in the past year.

a) The creation at the National and District levels of “Strategic Business Plans” for the Auxiliary. These, he said are living documents, thus having flexibility to respond to future changes.

b) Parallel realignment by the Auxiliary to the sectorization of the Coast Guard.

c) Continued momentum of “Operation Patriot Readiness,” including “America’s Waterway Watch” and the Caribbean initiatives.

d) Creation and growth of the National Commodore’s Website.

e) Significant improvement in external communications. At least one story on the Auxiliary is provided to the public press every day.

f) An agreement with McGraw Hill to publish Auxiliary public education textbooks, including the new “America’s Boating Course.”

COMO Seibert listed eight key tasks ahead for the Auxiliary. “The need to sustain momentum;” “The need to communicate our priorities;” “The need for member training;” “The need to simplify the lives of our members;” “The need to increase the accuracy of AUXDATA;” “The need to simplify our forms.;” “The need to main balance (our missions),” which Seibert said is critical for our success; and, “A stronger focus on key learning to the level of the flotilla member.”

“Success is but a journey, not a destination”, NACO Seibert said. “Each of you needs to listen, to learn and to lead.”

Four resolutions were brought before the assembly for adoption. Members of the National Executive Committee (NEXCOM) and the sitting District Commodores each have a voting privilege. All four resolutions were passed.

1. A new position within the Auxiliary was approved. The National Commodore will appoint a National Chief of Staff. This position will run concurrent to the term of the National Commodore. The appointee will wear two stars separated by a red “A”.

2. A new Auxiliary award is to be created. The “Auxiliary Legion of Merit” award with requirements to parallel the military award of the same name.

3. New, standardized District Standing Rules format and content has been adopted.

4. (Optional guidelines for use within the Districts) District alignment to Coast Guard sectors.

Each of the Directorate Commodores made their annual reports to the assembly outlining their major accomplishments over the past year and a peek at their plans for the future.

Two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) were signed during the meeting. One MOU between the Auxiliary and Boater’s World magazine and one MOU between the Coast Guard, the Auxiliary and the Army Corps of Engineers.

As is the custom at NACON, the outgoing District Commodores are presented their life memberships and a token of appreciation from the National Commodore. This year there were four District Commodores fulfilling their two year term of office; COMO Robert E. Johnson, D1NR; COMO Allen J. Knish, D9-ER; COMO Robert M. DenBoer, D9-CR; and COMO Edmund Baran, D8-WR.

Many National awards were presented. These awards will be posted in a separate SITREP – NACON article.